Canopy and subcanopy arthropod community data generated through DNA metabarcoding of samples collected using Lindgren (canopy) and Malaise (subcanopy) traps deployed within National Forest Inventory (NFI) woodland plots across England from 2023 to 2026. The dataset comprises the processed sequence data and provides a list of all the species detected in each of the samples. Where a species was detected in a sample, the Read Counts (the number of DNA sequences assigned to a species) are reported. A blank cell indicates that the species was not detected in the sample. Additionally, for each species the following is included:
• The OTU DNA sequence
• The taxonomic identification: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
• IUCN Red List Threat Status (only available for OTUs named at the species level)
• Invasive status: A Yes/No status indicating whether the species is listed as invasive in the country the sample was taken from (only available for OTUs named at the species level)
• Number of samples in which the species occurs.
The datasets also include a table with information related to the sample collected (i.e., tree species and the unique delocation ID). Data are georeferenced using a delocalised grid. The Southwest and Northeast co-ordinates of the grid square, and also the total area of the grid square, are included in the dataset. Further information about the delocalisation process is provided in the dataset evidence pack (Sampling Framework).
Monitoring canopy and subcanopy arthropod communities, as measures of woodland ecological condition, is one part of the data generated from the DNA metabarcoding techniques project. The 'NFI Canopy & Subcanopy Arthropod Communities' is a project funded by the UK Government through Defra’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme (NCEA). Users should ensure they have read the supporting documentation before viewing or making use of the data. This includes the 'NCEA Analysis Ready Data Limitations Statement' and dataset specific limitations/caveats outlined in the Sampling Framework report (see Section 17). Attribution statement: © Forestry Commission copyright and/or database right 2026. Contains data generated by NatureMetrics. All rights reserved.
